AMRITSAR: Vice President Dental council of India Dr Bhaskar Rao has said Frida that the evolution of dental health services in India dates back to 4500 BC wherein Vedas have mentioned classification of dental diseases and daily ritual of cleaning of tongue as a regular practice of oral hygiene.

"Dentistry was taught in the two ancient temples of learning Takshila (400 AD) Nalanda (1100 AD). Sushruta (600 BC) was the first dental anatomist of the World who taught dentistry in a scientific manner, invented several surgical instruments and wrote the famous book
Sushruta Samhita", said Dr Rao.

Dr Bhaskar Rao was speaking on behalf of "Pierre Fauchard Academy--an international Dental honorary organization"-- at the inaugural session of the three-day ''All India Dental Students
Conference" at Punjab Government Dental College, Amritsar today.

The conference has participation  of 40 dental colleges of India  and  nearly 1700 students, was inaugurated by Chief guest Tikshan Sud Minister for Medical Education Punjab along with Dr Anil Kohli president  DCI and  Dr MC Mohan President Indian Dental association  (IDA). Earlier all guests were welcomed by College Principal Dr Vimal Sikri .

Dr Puneet Girdhar Organizing Secretary and media organizer of conference informed that this was for the first time that the national level conference was held in the holy city. In continuation of the lecture on dental history in India,  Dr Rao said that   He said future of dentistry has come a long way and now includes shift from curative to preventive besides new fields like aesthetic dentistry,  implantology, forensic odontology."

On the occasion as many as 44 dental student toppers from 11 dental colleges of Punjab were awarded the IDA-Colgate Scholarships carrying an award of Rs 4000 each.

An added attraction at the inaugural session saw of lot of color and merriment as students from all over the country participated keenly in competitions on 'solo dancing' , 'folk dances'  choreography , orchestra and fancy dress.